Gerry Cooney, his.

[NYDominican]

Gerry Cooney's professional boxing record was 28 wins, with 24 of his wins coming by way of ko. Gerry has 3 losses. His losses were to Larry Holmes (13th rd tko), Michael Spinks (5th rd tko), and George Foreman (2nd rd ko).


George Foreman said that out of all his opponents, Cooney hit the hardest. Obviously, Gerry had quite a bit of punching power.


1. Had Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have scaled high heights in boxing?



2. Had Gerry Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have possibly been in contention among some of the best?



Please explain.

[HomicideHenry]

I don't think his mental state was ever really in question as a fighter because he always fought harder in defeat. The problem with Cooney was a combination of being pushed too soon, periods of inactivity, and too much fame and drugs and women readily available. We tend to forget that for most of his young adult life and childhood he was on a short leash, and when he finally became a superstar (whether it was warranted or not) he broke free and let loose.

There was ALOT of fights he should have taken to test his will and enhance his abilities. He should have been forced into deep waters little bit by little bit. Fighting "names" was great for marketing, but did nothing for his mettle. Instead of Ken Norton, Ron Lyle and Jimmy Young he should have been fighting hard nosed bastards like Scott LeDoux, and talented people like Dokes and Coetzee who were significantly smaller and faster and craftier than him, which would have forced him to strategize rather than bomb away.

[DrDuke]

Cooney was good. He could even be a champ, if he tried WBA, not Larry's WBC. However, he had probably given everything he was capable of. I give him a lot of chances against the "secondary" champions of Holmes' era, like Weaver, Dokes, Page, etc. Yet I won't pick Cooney against elite level fighter, like Tyson or Holyfield.

[oogiebe]

Cooney was good. He could even be a champ, if he tried WBA, not Larry's WBC. However, he had probably given everything he was capable of. I give him a lot of chances against the "secondary" champions of Holmes' era, like Weaver, Dokes, Page, etc. Yet I won't pick Cooney against elite level fighter, like Tyson or Holyfield.

Except for his ability to perhaps be champ, I couldn't have said it better. Nice points; fair points.

[Tony1244]

Punching power good but a bit overrated.

Boxing ability good but a bit underrated.

I never take what fighters say about other fighters very seriously. Their comments are based more on popularity. I believe GF felt Cooney's power, but they got along well so they complimented each other.

Cooney could have been better. I believe his admitted drinking problems had something to do with him not really liking boxing as well as a dysfunctional family.

[oogiebe]

Gerry Cooney's professional boxing record was 28 wins, with 24 of his wins coming by way of ko. Gerry has 3 losses. His losses were to Larry Holmes (13th rd tko), Michael Spinks (5th rd tko), and George Foreman (2nd rd ko).


George Foreman said that out of all his opponents, Cooney hit the hardest. Obviously, Gerry had quite a bit of punching power.
Foreman said (respectfully) that Lyle was the hardest hitter he faced. He said that he got hit so hard, he didn't feel it and just went down. He said when he got up, Lyle hit him another shot he didn't feel. He said Lyle was the only fighter who was able to do that to him. This interview came after his second retirement.

1. Had Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have scaled high heights in boxing?

Perhaps, but he was not mentally tough, or disciplined. (see cocaine). Also, I still don't believe he was as good as advertised. I saw him as a limited fighter with extraordinary height for the time and a tremendous left. He was easy to hit and never learned what to do when hurt.

2. Had Gerry Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have possibly been in contention among some of the best?
Hard to say. He didn't have a great reach, considering his height and his chin was shown to be more than suspect. Mike Spinks cleaned his clock and if you watch, it's hard to believe as Spinks was so much smaller. Yes Michael was a great lt heavy, but to do that to what some believed to be a HW contender? Um...no


Please explain.

[SenorPipino]

I was recently rapping online with Dennis Rappaport, one of Cooney's co-managers.

He insists that Cooney's career wasn't truly derailed by any personal demons but by chronic left shoulder injuries (rotator cuff) that caused postponement of several of his bouts (cited the Holmes and Phil Brown fights) and left him depressed and disinterested in boxing.

The shoulder, he said, was so painful for the Holmes fight, that Cooney was unable to unleash his full arsenal on the heavyweight champ.

If not for shoulder, Rappaport says Cooney would have improved by leaps and bounds and had a lengthy reign as heavyweight king.

Reality or the revisionist history by a Cooney cheerleader?

[oogiebe]

I was recently rapping online with Dennis Rappaport, one of Cooney's co-managers.

He insists that Cooney's career wasn't truly derailed by any personal demons but by chronic left shoulder injuries (rotator cuff) that caused postponement of several of his bouts (cited the Holmes and Phil Brown fights) and left him depressed and disinterested in boxing.

The shoulder, he said, was so painful for the Holmes fight, that Cooney was unable to unleash his full arsenal on the heavyweight champ.

If not for shoulder, Rappaport says Cooney would have improved by leaps and bounds and had a lengthy reign as heavyweight king.

Reality or the revisionist history by a Cooney cheerleader?

Maybe a fair statement by Rappaport, but the record stands. What if's and could be's lead to denial. If true, then it's a shame, but it is what it is. Ali had hand issues; Frazier had a blind eye early in his career; etc. The heart leads us from controversy to success. So maybe the story means that Cooney couldn't take controversy (I don't know, but I do know he apologized after his loss to Holmes...)...he couldn't pull himself up and onward. I probably couldn't either.

[hhaehre]

I was recently rapping online with Dennis Rappaport, one of Cooney's co-managers.

He insists that Cooney's career wasn't truly derailed by any personal demons but by chronic left shoulder injuries (rotator cuff) that caused postponement of several of his bouts (cited the Holmes and Phil Brown fights) and left him depressed and disinterested in boxing.

The shoulder, he said, was so painful for the Holmes fight, that Cooney was unable to unleash his full arsenal on the heavyweight champ.

If not for shoulder, Rappaport says Cooney would have improved by leaps and bounds and had a lengthy reign as heavyweight king.

Reality or the revisionist history by a Cooney cheerleader?

Probably a bit of both, but Gerry wouldn't have beaten Holmes with a bat. A Weaver fight would have been his best bet for a belt, a toss-up imo.

[Kalan]

Gerry Cooney's professional boxing record was 28 wins, with 24 of his wins coming by way of ko. Gerry has 3 losses. His losses were to Larry Holmes (13th rd tko), Michael Spinks (5th rd tko), and George Foreman (2nd rd ko).

George Foreman said that out of all his opponents, Cooney hit the hardest. Obviously, Gerry had quite a bit of punching power.

Look.., Foreman was a smart businessman.. He knew Cooney had nothing.

Cooney hadn't fought in nearly 3 years.. He had ONE (1) fight in the previous 5 years... In that previous fight he was easily stopped by a Light Heavyweight and didn't land a good punch... They knew Cooney was a drug addict and alcoholic. They knew Cooney was wasted and would get knocked out in 1 or 2 rounds... Cooney landed a few punches because they dried him out and tried to get him in some semblance of physical condition so they could sell the fight.. But Cooney’s arms were skinny dandelion stems and he didn’t hurt Foreman... George didn’t wobble or even move when those shots hit him.

Lyle hit Foreman 10 X harder and laid a prime Foreman out -- but what is the smartest thing for Foreman to say when asked this question? “Gerry Cooney” because he was a popular white fighter and George finished him quickly.

Now if Norton or Lyle said Cooney was the hardest puncher it's believable... He was a young healthy man then.

[Nile4000]

Gerry Cooney's professional boxing record was 28 wins, with 24 of his wins coming by way of ko. Gerry has 3 losses. His losses were to Larry Holmes (13th rd tko), Michael Spinks (5th rd tko), and George Foreman (2nd rd ko).


George Foreman said that out of all his opponents, Cooney hit the hardest. Obviously, Gerry had quite a bit of punching power.


1. Had Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have scaled high heights in boxing?

Possibly, though I will always think guys like Page, Dokes, and possibly Witherspoon had enough to deal with him.


2. Had Gerry Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have possibly been in contention among some of the best?

No doubt, He would have been in the thick of it for most of the 80's, if his eyes was on the prize. The Weaver fight should have been made just for the fact it was a more logical move.


Please explain.

[oogiebe]

Gerry Cooney's professional boxing record was 28 wins, with 24 of his wins coming by way of ko. Gerry has 3 losses. His losses were to Larry Holmes (13th rd tko), Michael Spinks (5th rd tko), and George Foreman (2nd rd ko).


George Foreman said that out of all his opponents, Cooney hit the hardest. Obviously, Gerry had quite a bit of punching power.


1. Had Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have scaled high heights in boxing?



2. Had Gerry Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have possibly been in contention among some of the best?



Please explain.

Foreman said Lyle hit him the hardest.
Holmes said Cooney hit really hard, but the hardest he got hit was by Shavers.

Just saying.

[Nile4000]

Gerry Cooney's professional boxing record was 28 wins, with 24 of his wins coming by way of ko. Gerry has 3 losses. His losses were to Larry Holmes (13th rd tko), Michael Spinks (5th rd tko), and George Foreman (2nd rd ko).


George Foreman said that out of all his opponents, Cooney hit the hardest. Obviously, Gerry had quite a bit of punching power.


1. Had Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have scaled high heights in boxing?



2. Had Gerry Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have possibly been in contention among some of the best?



Please explain.

Foreman said Lyle hit him the hardest.
Holmes said Cooney hit really hard, but the hardest he got hit was by Shavers.

Just saying.

Interesting, though, Jimmy Young said Greg Page hit harder than Gerry.

[oogiebe]

However; to answer the question. It's difficult at best to say what might have been. Cooney hit really hard, and without regard to any shoulder issue, was exposed by Holmes, which is nothing to be embarrassed about. I lived not far from Cooney. He was a coke head and he himself admitted his lack of discipline and love for partying didn't do him any good to say the least. Effective powerful puncher; great size, but I believe it ends there. Norton? Way over the hill. Lyle? Over the hill and in the valley.

[oogiebe]

Foreman said Lyle hit him the hardest.
Holmes said Cooney hit really hard, but the hardest he got hit was by Shavers.

Just saying.
[/quote]

Interesting, though, Jimmy Young said Greg Page hit harder than Gerry.
[/quote]

I wouldn't put too much on a comment like that. Page was a boxer/puncher, so it sounds more like a barb.

[Nile4000]

Foreman said Lyle hit him the hardest.
Holmes said Cooney hit really hard, but the hardest he got hit was by Shavers.

Just saying.

Interesting, though, Jimmy Young said Greg Page hit harder than Gerry.
[/quote]

I wouldn't put too much on a comment like that. Page was a boxer/puncher, so it sounds more like a barb.
[/quote]

Feel you. I would have like Gerry to fight someone like a Coetzee, Cobb, Berbick, or even Tate, though that latter may have been a waste of time .

[oogiebe]

Foreman said Lyle hit him the hardest.
Holmes said Cooney hit really hard, but the hardest he got hit was by Shavers.

Just saying.

Interesting, though, Jimmy Young said Greg Page hit harder than Gerry.

I wouldn't put too much on a comment like that. Page was a boxer/puncher, so it sounds more like a barb.
[/quote]

Feel you. I would have like Gerry to fight someone like a Coetzee, Cobb, Berbick, or even Tate, though that latter may have been a waste of time .
[/quote]

I was on an exchange concert in Essex outside London and saw that Tate/Weaver fight. It was like, WTF happened? I couldn't look at Tate because his ears were like miniature.

[oogiebe]

Foreman said Lyle hit him the hardest.
Holmes said Cooney hit really hard, but the hardest he got hit was by Shavers.

Just saying.

Interesting, though, Jimmy Young said Greg Page hit harder than Gerry.

I wouldn't put too much on a comment like that. Page was a boxer/puncher, so it sounds more like a barb.

Feel you. I would have like Gerry to fight someone like a Coetzee, Cobb, Berbick, or even Tate, though that latter may have been a waste of time .
[/quote]

I was on an exchange concert in Essex outside London and saw that Tate/Weaver fight. It was like, WTF happened? I couldn't look at Tate because his ears were like miniature.
[/quote]

ON TV not live.

[Kalan]

Gerry Cooney's professional boxing record was 28 wins, with 24 of his wins coming by way of ko. Gerry has 3 losses. His losses were to Larry Holmes (13th rd tko), Michael Spinks (5th rd tko), and George Foreman (2nd rd ko).

Foreman said that out of all his opponents, Cooney hit the hardest ...... 1. Had Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have scaled high heights in boxing? ....... 2. Had Gerry Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have possibly been in contention among some of the best?

Cooney didn't fight for over a year ahead of the Holmes Fight.... And the Norton fight lasted 54 seconds....and 30 seconds of that was hitting a punching bag so that was really 20 seconds... Cooney's previous fight (Lyle) ALSO lasted one round... That's not enough activity to have any chance versus Larry Holmes.

If you think Cooney was rusty before he fought Holmes -- look at the more than 5 years between Holmes and Spinks... Cooney fought 3 fights in those 5 years... those less than appealing fights gave him a total of 7 rounds.

Even if Cooney had Emmanuel Steward as his coach... Even if he WASN'T a cocaine addict and alcoholic... He's STILL NOT going to make it on that level of activity.... And Foreman lied... Cooney didn't hit him hard with those dandelion arms... If he could still punch he would have decked Foreman and knocked him out... Foreman was a clever businessman... He knew saying Cooney was the hardest puncher he ever faced would go over extremely well..

After getting smashed out by Light Heavyweight Michael Spinks, Cooney spent the next 2 years in a cocaine and alcohol induced stupor... That's why Foreman wanted to fight him... He was a 2-round walk-over before he stepped in the ring.

So YES.... If Cooney wasn't a drug addict and alcoholic... and if he had a Boxing coach he would have done well... But he also needed a matchmaker and somebody who could manage his career better.

[oogiebe]

Gerry Cooney's professional boxing record was 28 wins, with 24 of his wins coming by way of ko. Gerry has 3 losses. His losses were to Larry Holmes (13th rd tko), Michael Spinks (5th rd tko), and George Foreman (2nd rd ko).

Foreman said that out of all his opponents, Cooney hit the hardest ...... 1. Had Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have scaled high heights in boxing? ....... 2. Had Gerry Cooney been more mentally strong, do you think that he could have possibly been in contention among some of the best?

Cooney didn't fight for over a year ahead of the Holmes Fight.... And the Norton fight lasted 54 seconds....and 30 seconds of that was hitting a punching bag so that was really 20 seconds... Cooney's previous fight (Lyle) ALSO lasted one round... That's not enough activity to have any chance versus Larry Holmes.

If you think Cooney was rusty before he fought Holmes -- look at the more than 5 years between Holmes and Spinks... Cooney fought 3 fights in those 5 years... those less than appealing fights gave him a total of 7 rounds.

Even if Cooney had Emmanuel Steward as his coach... Even if he WASN'T a cocaine addict and alcoholic... He's STILL NOT going to make it on that level of activity.... And Foreman lied... Cooney didn't hit him hard with those dandelion arms... If he could still punch he would have decked Foreman and knocked him out... Foreman was a clever businessman... He knew saying Cooney was the hardest puncher he ever faced would go over extremely well..

After getting smashed out by Light Heavyweight Michael Spinks, Cooney spent the next 2 years in a cocaine and alcohol induced stupor... That's why Foreman wanted to fight him... He was a 2-round walk-over before he stepped in the ring.

So YES.... If Cooney wasn't a drug addict and alcoholic... and if he had a Boxing coach he would have done well... But he also needed a matchmaker and somebody who could manage his career better.

Again, Foreman said Lyle hit him the hardest. Described as not feeling anything except the canvass.

[Kalan]

Foreman felt NO canvas laddie.... That was COONEY who fell.

Cooney plopped like a worn out dog rug that stinks too much.... He had one skinny arm dangling over his head...

Gerry needed rehab... not a fight... Can't last with a Light Heavy??? .... He was 3 X worse when he "fought" Foreman.

[oogiebe]

Foreman felt NO canvas laddie.... That was COONEY who fell.

Cooney plopped like a worn out dog rug that stinks too much.... He had one skinny arm dangling over his head...

Gerry needed rehab... not a fight... Can't last with a Light Heavy??? .... He was 3 X worse when he "fought" Foreman.

Foreman said LYLE...not COONEY...read slower.

[Nile4000]

Interesting, though, Jimmy Young said Greg Page hit harder than Gerry.

I wouldn't put too much on a comment like that. Page was a boxer/puncher, so it sounds more like a barb.

Feel you. I would have like Gerry to fight someone like a Coetzee, Cobb, Berbick, or even Tate, though that latter may have been a waste of time .

I was on an exchange concert in Essex outside London and saw that Tate/Weaver fight. It was like, WTF happened? I couldn't look at Tate because his ears were like miniature.
[/quote]

ON TV not live.
[/quote]

Wow, that's deep . John had that unique look. Probably one of the biggest tragedies in boxing. First defense in hometown, winning handily, and to get coldcocked like that. He's a good man, I wouldn't even have the courage to show my face for many years after something like that.

[Kalan]

Foreman felt NO canvas laddie.... That was COONEY who fell.

Cooney plopped like a worn out dog rug that stinks too much.... He had one skinny arm dangling over his head...

Gerry needed rehab... not a fight... Can't last with a Light Heavy??? .... He was 3 X worse when he "fought" Foreman.

Foreman said LYLE...not COONEY...read slower.

Right... But as an old Heavyweight Champion he said Cooney hit him the hardest... Obviously not a true statement, but a commercially intelligent one... Lyle definitely hit Foreman harder than any other opponent.

[Caractacus]

Foreman told a newspaper reporter just after the fight that Cooney's punches felt like "small explosions"
detonating off of him.